THE PEACE MOVE SMOTHERED

Evening Post, Volume XCV, Issue 23, 26 January 1918, Page 10

THE PEACE MOVE SMOTHERED

IN HOUSE OF COMMONS

BRITAIN AND ANNEXATION,

The House of Commons discussed on 6th November a peace motion proposed by Mr. Hastings B. LeesSmith, one of the founders of Ruskin College, Oxford. Tne motion, which js supported bj the pacifist group, declared: "This House is of the opinion, providing satisfactory guarantees can be obtained viith regard to the independence and restoration of Belgium and the evacuation of occupied, territory, that no obstacle should be placed in the way of preliminariesl toward negotiations for a peace settlement which ought to embody an equitable solution of the problem of Alsace-Lorraine and of devising;, the enforcement of effective international machinery for the avoidance of future wars."

_ Mr. Lees-Smith, in moving his resolution, maintained that successive secret agreements between the Allies had carried their war aims far beyond the original aims. He declared the recent rumour that Germany in addition' to losing Alsace-Lorraine,' was to be deprived of [territories on the left bank of the Rhine, had been confirmed in a secret session of the French Chamber by M. Eibot. : , .

Mr. -4- J- Balfour interjected Here that there never! was such an agreement. Mr. Lees.Smith "retorted that it was an. agreement made between France and Russia while Nicholas 11. was emperor. If this was carried out, said,the member, there would be a new series of causes of discontent, discord, a^nd hatred which would once again. ' drench Europe in .var and blood •■■■'' •

Mr. A, J. Balfour, Secretary for Foreign Affairs, replying to the peacf ;motion, declared: "The aims for which Great Britain entered the vy^r are not either Imperialistic or vindictive, but one and all are needed for the double purposeg of the emancipation and security of Europe." ■ . ■ - Mr. Balfour asked the House' to show by an overwhelming majority tlfat "wo Relieve in the cause in which we are struggling, and which we know we fan bring to a- successfuT termination. . \ Great as are the sacrifices already made, we are ready to continue them and continue, them indefinitely until the great, righteous, and anselfieh objects we have in view are finally secured." Mr. Bonar Law, Chancellor of the Exchequer, amid loud cheers, moved the closure, which was carried by 282 votes to 33, Mr. Lees-Smith's motion was then negatived without division. "It never was and is not the object of the Allies to take from the German Empire admittedly. German territory," es-ir! Mr. Balfour. "But, of course', the Allies desire the restitution of Alsace-Lorraine to France." The Allies were not fight ing for that alone or as an isolated.object of their war aime. . "We are fighting, in the first place," eaid he, "that Europe might be free from the perpetual menace of the military party in Germany." It was not Europe alone that was to be considered, he declared, and asked I whether the movers of the amendment j and their party had no care for the mis- ; government and the most brutal and • barbarous cruelty in Armenia and Arabia. The paci&t memebrs seemed to think that all these matters could be satisfactorily settled if they could only bring the European Powers to talk together- round' a table. "Is that common tense?" he asked.

"Is it supposed that Germany would ever consent to restore, as has been publicly sugßested, the ancient kingdom of Poland? Of courea «he would, not. It is no use waiting to meet around a peace table to determine that. -~.I« it Imperialistic to desire to see an independent Poland? Is it Imperialistic to desire to gee Armenia, released from the tyranny of Turkey? I« it Imperialistic to desire to see Alsace-Lorraine restored to France? | Is it Imperialistic to desire to uee Italy I embrace those of her own race, civilisation, and language? Is it Imperialistic to desire to see Rumania under Rumanian rule? Is it Imperialistic to desire to see the Servian community again a great and flourishine united power?"